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Leah Benedict, like many athletes, is superstitious. The Cicero-North Syracuse High School guard always enters the gymnasium with a Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher from Dunkin’ in hand and yellow New Balance shoes laced firmly on her feet.

She only finishes a third of her drink before starting her warmup. Benedict then begins shooting on an empty court before her teammates arrive. She can’t finish until she makes two shots in a row. Then, Benedict and Northstars senior forward Grace Villnave execute their pregame handshake. They start with two slaps on the hand and a fist bump. The ritual finishes with Benedict placing an imaginary crown on Villnave.

This detailed pregame routine has fueled Benedict to be the leading scorer for CNS as a sophomore this season. She’s averaged 16.7 points per game, but her calling card is her 3-point shot, knocking down 59 triples in 18 games this year. Following a 16-4 regular-season record, the Northstars begin postseason play with a Section III Class AAA Sectional Championships Semifinals matchup versus Baldwinsville Wednesday, looking to finally capture a sectional title after back-to-back championship losses.

“The girl is a beast out there,” Benedict’s father, Peter, said. “It’s a drive that you see that stands out. When she runs, it’s a little bit faster. When she goes and jumps in the lane, it’s a little bit stronger. She’s always (playing) harder than the others.”

Cicero-North Syracuse’s Leah Benedict has emerged as a star in her sophomore year. She hopes to lead the Northstars to a sectional title after back-to-back championship losses. Courtesy of Leah Benedict

Benedict was first called up to the Northstars’ varsity team as an eighth grader. Her second game at the varsity level was a quarterfinal matchup against Henninger High School. But Benedict was unfazed by the postseason stage, drilling three 3-pointers and finishing with 11 points en route to a 72-40 Northstars’ win. Her performance impressed CNS head coach Rob Siechen.

“A lot of times, it’s not necessarily intended for (eighth graders) to play in games but rather to get used to a different routine of practice and expectations of their time compared to (junior varsity),” Siechen said. “But, when we got into a playoff game, (Benedict) actually came in and played really well.”

Benedict picked up where she left off in her freshman year at CNS. Her 3-point shooting continued to stand out, as 56 of her 101 made field goals came from beyond the arc. She also finished second on the team with 12.7 points per game. Benedict began sharpening her 3-point shot on JV in seventh grade, learning that mental toughness is just as crucial as technique. She’s learned to stay confident in her shooting, even as frustration can creep in after a few misses.

“Sometimes that frustration boils over in her,” Siechen said. “(The coaching staff) is trying to get her to understand that you can miss three (shots) in a row, but you’re going to make your next five.”

Benedict is eager to improve her shooting and strength. She goes to her local YMCA multiple times a week with Villnave to put up shots and hit the weight room. As the two are nearly inseparable, they serve as each other’s shooting partner at practices.

In 2024, Benedict’s motivation only grew stronger after CNS’s season ended the same way it had the year before — with a loss to Liverpool in the sectional championship. In 2023’s edition, Benedict was a central part of the Northstars’ rotation and delivered a signature performance. She nailed five 3-pointers in the first half and scored 21 points overall. But it wasn’t enough, as the Legends prevailed 57-51. Benedict uses the loss as fuel as the Northstars continue to try to break through.

That search to get over the hump has led to a position change for Benedict this season. She’s now used primarily as a guard after playing as a wing previously. Though Benedict now attracts more pressure from defenses, she can dish it to Villnave inside for buckets. Despite the frequent defensive attention, the sophomore has increased her point production by four points while also averaging 3.7 rebounds and 2.2 assists per game and drilling 39% of her shots from 3.

With Villnave set to graduate this year, Benedict’s role will only continue to expand. Their pregame handshake serves as more than just a routine — it symbolizes a shift in leadership. Ever since CNS’s 2025 senior night, the duo changed the handshake. Instead of the sophomore placing the crown on the senior, Villnave and Benedict had a different plan.

“Now, I pass the crown off to (Benedict) because it’s her time to be the queen,” Villnave said. “It’s her time to shine.”

With the crown passed to her and the playoffs starting Wednesday, Benedict is ready to embrace the pressure that comes with leading the Northstars toward a sectional title. All she’ll need is her Strawberry Dragonfruit Refresher, her yellow sneakers and the belief that this time, the routine will finally lead to the breakthrough she’s been chasing.

Published on March 2, 2025 at 11:07 pm

jaglick@syr.edu